05-23-2016 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, May 23, 2016 7:00 o'clock p.m. 3. ORONO CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION OF APRIL 25, 2016 (continued) VOTE: Ayes 3, Nays 2, Printup and Walsh opposed. Levang requested the April 25 minutes be revised using the 2014 method. Printup commented this has a bad smell to it and that they are talking about detailed notes or detailed minutes and going back to less detailed minutes. McMillan moved, Levang seconded, to approve the minutes of the April 25, 2016, City Council work session as submitted. VOTE: Ayes 4, Nays 1, Walsh opposed. PRESENTATION 4. LAKE MINNETONKA CONSERVATION DISTRICT (LMCD) 2017 BUDGET Gabriel Jabbour, LMCD Representative, stated he is here tonight to present the draft 2017 Lake Minnetonka Conservation District budget. Jabbour noted a copy of the budget should have been provided to the City Council. McMillan asked if Mr. Jabbour feels comfortable with what is being proposed. Jabbour stated this is the first time that he has been around the LMCD, which is from 1971, that a handful of the board members took it upon themselves to prepare the budget, look at how things were done previously, and then go through it in detail. Following that process, the committee met with the rest of the board and explained where the LMCD is currently and how they got there with some historical background. Jabbour commented he is hopeful the LMCD is on its way to doing things in a better way and that there was unanimous consensus by the board that they have never understood the budget as much as they do now. Jabbour stated in 2016, the budget that was passed reduced the levy substantially. In 2016, the DNR removed $34,000 worth of grants, which is approximately 10 percent of the levy. This resulted in the LMCD having a substantial reduction in revenue. This year's budget includes payment to the former executive director as well as the interim director. Jabbour stated as a result, the LMCD is not in as good of financial condition as they should be but adjustments are being made. Jabbour stated the past business model of the LMCD is not sustainable but that they are there to keep the ship floating and that changes to that business model are being implemented. Jabbour stated one of the obstacles is that there are a number of regulations that have been approved over the years that make it difficult for the average citizen to work through. Reviewing the codes and implementing changes will be an additional expense in the coming years. Jabbour stated that is one of the reasons why the LMCD is bringing back a former technician to help the interim director and the LMCD get back on track. Printup noted the legal line went up significantly in the last year. Page 5 of 23